Movie Glance, 10/26

Tyler Perry looks the part of James Patterson's big, athletic hero, but he's low-key-bordering-on-sleepwalker dull, and the standard-issue cop-vs.-serial-killer story presents Alex Cross as more of a dopey psycho-babbler than a guy whose incisive mind cuts right to the heart of the case.

A movie about the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis doesn't sound like it would be a laugh riot — or should be — but that's just one of the many ways in which this is a glorious, gripping surprise. Ben Affleck has come up with a seamless blend of detailed drama and breathtaking suspense, with just the right amount of dry humor.

Rated: R for language and some violent images

Grade: A+

'Frankenweenie'

In this Tim Burton animated film, young loner Victor (voiced by Charlie Tahan) is devastated when his dog, Sparky, is hit by a car. His science teacher (Martin Landau) inspires Victor to try to bring Sparky back to life.

Rated: PG for thematic elements, scary images and action

Grade: B

'Here Comes the Boom'

This comedy starring Kevin James as a tubby science teacher who becomes a mixed martial arts sensation is every bit as ridiculous as it looks. The real flaws are the stabs at genuine moments — the inspirational classroom high jinks, the simple-headed critiques of public schools and the humdrum romancing as James slowly wins the heart of Salma Hayek.

Rated: PG for bouts of sports violence, rude humor and language

Grade: C

'Hotel Transylvania'

Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler), who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's daughter.

Rated: PG for rude humor, action and scary images

Grade: Not available

'Paranormal Activity 4'

This sequel relocates the action from California to Nevada and introduces an entirely new family. They offer to take in their neighbor's young son while his mother (Katie Featherson from the first movie) is in the hospital, but they soon notice strange events. This installment adds little new information and plays out inevitably unpleasant outcomes.

Rated: R for language and some violence/terror

Grade: D+

'Pitch Perfect'

College freshman Beca (Anna Kendrick) is cajoled into joining her school's all-girls singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, they take on their male rivals in a campus competition.

Rated: PG-13 for sexual material, language and drug references

Grade: Not available

'Seven Psychopaths'

This fascinating mutt of a film is filled with deranged wit and unpredictable genre deconstruction. Colin Farrell plays Marty, a hard-drinking screenwriter who gets sucked into a dognapping scheme that turns bloody when the Shih Tzu of a pooch-loving gangster (Woody Harrelson) is swiped.

Found footage helps a true-crime novelist (Ethan Hawke) realize how and why a family was murdered in his new home, though his discoveries put his entire family in the path of a supernatural entity. The film is not only creepier than most of its contemporaries, it excels with relatable characters and a smart premise.

Rated: R for violent images and terror

Grade: C+

'Taken 2'

Whatever novelty there was watching Liam Neeson go commando in 2008's "Taken" is gone in the sequel, a mix of third-rate action, dreary family melodrama, laughable bad guys and even more laughable plot devices. A countless band of goons aims to exact revenge on Neeson's ex-CIA agent and his family for all the people killed in the first movie.